Gaston Memorial Hospital is rolling out a new policy aimed at keeping tabs on visitors at night.

Security guards or police officers are stationed at the rotunda near the parking deck and the emergency room. They’ll distribute badges to visitors and explain what areas of the hospital are accessible.

People will be restricted to a specific area in the hospital, whether the emergency room or a particular floor, while visiting patients.

Bob Stacy, director of security and visitor services at Gaston Memorial, said the new system will help keep tabs on who is at the hospital at night, information that is especially helpful in an emergency.

“It’s just basically for accountability and restricting movement of our visitors from just wandering,” he said.

The changes come at a time when schools, hospitals, and other public institutions are re-evaluating their security procedures in the wake of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14.

Stacy, however, said Gaston Memorial’s security changes didn’t come about because of any single incident. He’s been working on implementing new security rules since June 2012.

In addition to assigned areas, night visitors will be allowed access to the Terrace Café on the second floor, which is open all night.

A registration system is already in place in the emergency room, requiring after-hours visitors to sign in. But the new policy extends that procedure throughout the hospital.

Visitation hours in specific departments may vary depending on the needs of patients. The number of visitors and length of time they can stay may be limited.

Gazette reporter Wade Allen can be reached at 704-869-1828; twitter.com/gazettewade.